Whatever your opinions of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I think everyone can benefit from the occasional exhortation to “Shut your mouth, open your mind” and “Work your ass off”. Now, imagine those as chapter headings pronounced in the Germanic gutteral English of the former Mr Universe and governor of California, and you can see why I recommend anyone needing a little pep talk to download the audiobook and listen to Arnold pump some metaphorical iron.

The seven items of advice are the seven chapters:

Have a clear visionNever think smallWork your ass offSell, sell, sellShift gears (rethink your priorities)Shut your mouth and open your mindBreak your mirrors (think of others, not yourself)

Arnold comes across as not the conceited ass of his early years, but an elder gentleman at peace with a flawed world and his place in it.

No. 3 of 50 books I intend to read and review in 2025.

I’m Patrick Sherriff, an Englishman who survived 13 years working for newspapers in the US, UK and Japan. Between teaching English lessons at my conversation school in Abiko, Japan, I write and illustrate textbooks for non-native speakers of English, release Hana Walker mystery novels, short stories, paint, and write essays and Our Man in Abiko, a monthly  newsletter   highlighting good writing in English, often about about Japan, art, crime fiction and teaching.